Lessons We Can Learn From the Book of Leviticus - OUR SERVICE IS MOTIVATED BY GRATITUDE AND LOVE

Second lesson: We served Jehovah because we are grateful to home.  To highlight this, let us consider the communion offerings, another important aspect of true worship in ancient Israel.  In the book of Leviticus, we learn that an Israelite could offer a communion sacrifice "as an expression of thanksgiving."  (Leviticus 7:11-13, 16-18)  He made the offering, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. So this was voluntary offering that the individual made because he loved his God, Jehovah.  The person making the offering, his family, and the priests would eat the meat of the sacrificed animal. But certain parts of the animal were offered up exclusively to Jehovah.  Which parts?

Third lesson: Out of love, we give Jehovah our best.   Jehovah viewed the fat as the best part of an animal. He also specified that vital organs, including the kidneys, were of special value.  (Read Leviticus 3:6, 12, 14-16.) So Jehovah was especially pleased when an Israelite voluntarily offered vital organs and the fat for him.  The Israelite who made such offering demonstrated his deep desire to offer the very best to God.   In a similar way, Jesus willingly offered up to Jehovah his very best  by serving whole-souled out of love for Him.  (John 14:31)  For Jesus, doing God's will was delight; he had deep love for God's law.  (Psalm 40:8)  How pleasing it must have been for Jehovah to see Jesus serve him so willingly! 

Like those communion sacrifices, our service to Jehovah is a voluntary expression of how we feel about him. We give  Jehovah our best, and we do because we love him with all our heart.  How pleased Jehovah must be to see millions of willing worshippers serve him out of deep love for him and his ways! We can be comforted by remembering that Jehovah sees and values not only our actions but also our motives.  For example,  if you are elderly and can no longer do as much as you would like, be assured that Jehovah  seed beyond your limitations. You may feel that you have little to offer, but Jehovah sees the love deep  within you that motivates you to do what you can do.  His is pleased to accept the best that you can give.

What can we learn from the communion sacrifices?  As the fire consumed the best parts of the animal, smoke drifted upward and Jehovah was pleased. To be assured, then, that Jehovah is pleased with your willing, whole-souled service.  (Colossians 3:23) Imagine his smile of approval. He views your loving efforts in his service, large and small, as treasures  that he will remember and value forever. - MATTHEW 6:20; HEBREWS 6:10.

Next time: Lessons We Can Learn From the Book of Leviticus - JEHOVAH BLESSES HIS ORGANIZATION

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